unescorted travel

Paul - Congratulations on your retirement and what a wonderful trip idea! I think you can do a lot of research on your own, through this website and with Rick Steves' (and other) guidebooks. If you plan to spend a week in each location, you could look into renting an apartment which may be more affordable and would allow you to prepare some of your own meals. There are many rental agencies that have been mentioned on this site. Even if you choose to use a travel agency, the more research you do on your own, the better info you can give your agent.

My favorite Mediterranean beach town in France is Cassis, and you could also consider Collioure and Villefranche sur Mer.

Unfortunately, Paul, most of us are do-it-yourselfers when it comes to travel planning. We don't tend to use travel agents.

Some more information please. How long is your trip? I see two weeks but how long is it overall? Will you be sticking strictly to the Mediterranean areas or will you be traveling to internal areas of these countries?

If your trip is truly based on the Mediterranean, I would suggest that you could have a trip that originates in Barcelona or eleswhere in Spain, goes to the southeastern coastal beach area of France, on to Italy (where there are fewer beaches) and then on to Greece. Or, you can do this in reverse.

A rental car in most areas is fine but be advised that if you rent in one country and drop off in another, the drop off charge can be a bit steep. Also, if your use of the term "water taxi" refers to Venice, I would suggest that you understand the difference between a water taxi and a vaporetto (water bus). Water taxis are private and very expensive (up to $130 a ride). Vaporettos are really "water buses" and in Venice, they are publc conveyances similar to buses on land.

I have used travel agents many years ago when they were available as part of work...started traveling on our own with trip to Italy in 1995 and around there by train.

I have used travel agents when booking a group trip but even then haven't felt a lot of need. I think if you plan carefully using the resources of this board and then travel carefully, you'll make mistakes, perhaps, but they are unlikely to be expensive or bad ones.

What is your travel background? Domestically? I assume this is your first international venture?

Paul,

First of all, congratulations on your retirement! I retired on March 15th, so I'm now in that "club" too!

I'm sure you could use the same travel planning methods as many of us on the HelpLine. The RS travel philosophy is geared towards low cost travel, so you've come to the right place for information!

I don't spend too much time on beaches, so can't offer too much advice on that. However, I'm sure someone in the group here can help. I don't have much information on Spain, but there are awesome beaches on the Cote d'Azur in France (the beach in Nice is a bit "rocky", but there are other locations, perhaps Antibes). For beaches in Greece you might consider some of the islands. There are some nice beaches on the Amalfi Coast in Italy (Positano is one that comes to mind, but Monterosso in the Cinque Terre is nice too).

If this is your first trip to Europe, my first suggestion would be to pre-read Europe Through The Back Door as that will provide you with LOTS of information on how to travel "well" and inexpensively in Europe. You should be able to find that at local bookstores or your local Library. Rick's country-specific Guidebooks have lots of information on low cost Hotels and restaurants in each location.

With a time frame of 3-4 weeks, I'd suggest using open jaw flights for efficiency (especially as you think this might be your "one and only"). Don't book any flights until you get somewhat of an Itinerary worked out.

Unless I missed it, you didn't indicate WHEN you were planning to take this trip? It would help to know that.

Are there any locations that you particularly want to see, perhaps a place that you've seen on one of Rick's TV shows?

If you could provide some further information, I'm sure the group here will be able to provide lots of suggestions.

Cheers!

Traveling while retired is fun...the time pressure is off and you can go when you want to go, not when the calendar says you have to.

As a retired traveler just getting ready to come home after a month in Holland (home exchange), I can vouch for all the ideas mentioned before. I would also recommend going to the library and checking out ALL the travel books and videos on the areas you are interested in or even thing you might be interested in. If you can find them at your library, especially look at the RS books and videos as they are among the best. Watch travel programs on TV for ideas as well. I like to go to Borders or Barnes and Noble and peruse the travel magazines while enjoying a cup of coffee. All of these have given me and my husband many ideas that we use in our unescorted travels.

Paul, check your private messages for a suggestion that might help. No, I do not name specific agencies.